The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said at least 1.3 million public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators will receive fuel subsidies from the government amid the escalating prices of pump fuels.
LTFRB executive director Robert Peig said the Department of Budget and Management is expected to release the budget allocation for the fuel subsidy before August ends.
Those to receive the subsidies included drivers and operators of jeepneys, buses, taxis, shuttle services, school services, tourist services, transport network vehicles, tricycles, and delivery riders nationwide, he said.
According to Peig, a modern jeepney would get P10,000; modern UV express, P10,000; traditional jeepney, P6,500; school/shuttle/tourist service/transport network vehicle service, P6,500; delivery rider; P1,200, and tricycle driver, P1,000.
Fuel cards would be released to the beneficiaries being regulated by LTFRB, he said.
Those under the local government units will get their subsidies through e-wallets from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.
The LTFRB would release the subsidies to the franchise holders who should pass on the subsidies to the drivers because they are the ones who pay for the fuel.
The country’s oil firms raised pump prices by P4 per liter for diesel, kerosene by P2.75 per liter and gasoline by P0.50 per liter effective 6 a.m. today (Tuesday) to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
It is also the fifth straight week of increases for diesel and kerosene and the fourth in a row for gasoline.
The United Filipino Consumers and Commuters on Monday said the government’s P6,000 fuel subsidy should not be limited to public utility vehicle drivers.
“Drivers are not the only people affected by the major oil price hike. Think of the consumers, the commuters, the other lowly employees,” said Rodolfo Javellana Jr., UFCC president.
“The ordinary Filipino people will have to bear the brunt of the subsidies granted to select sectors,” he added.